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Wednesday, August 31, 2011

I realize that Fall doesn't officially start until until Friday, September 23rd, but as soon as the calendar turns to September, I can't help but think of Fall. I'm of the kind, that as soon as Thanksgiving is over, I break out the Christmas decorations. And as soon as the calendar turns to September, I break out the fall decorations. October 1st rolls around? Out comes the Halloween decorations. I figure that if I am going to go to the trouble of decorating our house for the holidays, I might as well enjoy them for an entire month. Or longer. And besides, I have yet to have the holiday police come knocking on my door.

Here are just a few ideas that have me itching to break out my boxes of fall decorations...

I really dig these pumpkin topiaries. Craft pumpkins would be perfect for these and could be used again next year.

Pottery Barn

This pumpkin topiary is charming as well.

Country Living

I have been scouring the internet for fall mantle ideas. I love all the pumpkins on this mantle.

Martha Stewart

And this mantle of vases filled with the bounties of fall.

Pottery Barn

I love the neutral colors of this display. Especially the mercury pumpkins. OMG.

Pottery Barn

Here's those mercury pumpkins again. I want these BAD!

Pottery Barn

These white pumpkins are quite lovely too.

Pottery Barn

And here's a plethora of lovely arrangements.

Pottery Barn

Here's a simple way to decorate with candles.

Pinterest

Better Homes & Gardens

Pottery Barn

I need to get me some bell jars.

Country Living

HGTV

And last, but not least, every door needs a fall wreath in my opinion.

Pottery Barn

Do you decorate for fall? Or have I inspired you? I promise to share my fall decorations with you as soon as they go up. I also will be sharing my Fall Collage, as well as a fun, vintage craft pumpkin shadow box that I made last year. So stay tuned!

6. Vintage School Desk & Chair - This already sold, but I still wanted to share it. This would be a cute addition to a little kids room as an art desk or to do their homework on, or a timeout even ;)

I'm so excited for this weekend. We're going camping for 3 nights at Lake Mendocino. We used to camp there every year for a week straight, but haven't been able to for the last 3 or 4 years, and I've missed it so! I've missed sleeping in a tent listening to the sounds of nature, sitting around the camp fire, loosing myself in a good book..all day long, playing games at the picnic table, cooling off in the lake, disconnecting from technology (except for my Kindle), taking walks around the campground, napping in the hammock. Ahhhh....camping is good for my soul :)

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

I've been scouring the internet and blogosphere for ideas for the nursery. The internet is a lovely thing! There are endless, beautiful nurseries out there. So many inspiring spaces. Here is a peek at what ideas and pieces I have chosen for the nursery...

1. This IS the crib I am ordering. The Bratt Decor Venetian Iron Crib from Pottery Barn. I love the classic, antique look of this crib. It's going to look perfect in the nursery!

2. After looking at all kinds of rockers and gliders, I think I have settled on one that looks more like a chair and that I can eventually move into another part of the house. Jim and I plan to try some out in the stores, and if I can't find one I like, then we'll purchase this one from Pottery Barn, even though it is a little more than we want to spend.

3. I just ordered this 3-pc Simply Shabby Shic Cherry Blossom Crib set from Target. It includes a bumper, sheet, and skirt.

Here's a better picture of the pattern on the bumper. I also ordered this quilt.

4. Fabric embroidery hoops for above the crib. I am making these for sure! I just need to find the right pieces of fabric.

5. Pom-poms. I found a tutorial on how to make the ones picture below. I will be making these in shades of pink and maybe cream or yellow. They will hang above either the crib, glider or dresser.

6. We have a small, deep bookcase that Jim built when he was in high school that I plan to paint pink and convert to a changing table like the pink cabinet below.

7. And I WILL find a wall for shelves like these. Floor to ceiling. Love them!

I am also on the hunt for a chandilier for the nursery and I plan to make some curtains, even though me and my sewing machine have a hate/love relationship.

I will try and post photos of the nursery as it comes together. As well as any projects I make.

4. Orange Flower Shoe Clips - I'm not a regular high heel wearing kinda gal, but these sure would look cute on some heels when I do test out my high heel walking abilities.

5. Wire Baskets - If you haven't noticed by now, I have a thing for baskets. They are an easy way to organize all your "stuff". I like to organize stuff, A LOT. As you can tell by my craft room and utility closet.

6. Keep Calm and Work On - I like the original saying too "Keep Calm and Carry On". This version is super cute for the laptop. "Keep Calm and Blog On" would be a fun version too for us bloggers :)

My aunt and uncle are coming to stay with us for the weekend. I can't wait! They will be the last guests to stay in the guest bedroom before it morphs into the cutest, little nursery to ever exist! My mom is also coming over to visit, and then on Sunday we will be celebrating my birthday and also my mother in-law's birthday, which was August 5th.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Hello. My name is Jenny and I am a freak who insists on making handmade Christmas cards every year. You're probably thinking that doesn't sounds that terrible. That is until you hear how many cards I actually make.by.hand.

We're talking in the ballpark of 150+ cards.

Go ahead, call me a freak. I have earned that name.

It all started innocently back in 2003. I thought to myself, "I'll make my own Christmas cards this year. Won't that be fun and save me a TON of $$". Flash forward to 2011 and I am still making my own Christmas cards, because I can't seem to stop. And I'm afraid if I sent out store bought cards, everyone on my Christmas list would call me a fake, or worse.

Why is the number of cards I make so high, you ask? Well, because my husband is a fire captain, and every year we receive cards from almost everyone in the fire department. So it's really all my husband's fault.

And because I need to make 150+ cards, I have to get started on them in the Summer, when most people haven't even begun to think about Christmas.

Anyways, I came up with my design for our Christmas card this weekend. One for family and friends, which is a little more detailed. And then one for the fire department, which is a little easier to mass produce. I have to confess that they both are SUPER CUTE! But I can't show them to you yet, because I don't want to ruin the surprise in case anyone on my Christmas card list also reads my blog. So instead I will show you a few of my cards from Christmases past.

The card that started it all. The base and photo were computer generated.

2003 Family & Friend Card. The snowman was made from a technique called quilling.

The snowman was stamped and the glitter square frame was heat embossed. The Joy was a die-cut.

This card consisted entirely of stamps. A lot of stamping went into this card!

The snowman was stamped and then colored in with markers. The red strip was embossed.

The snow flake and dot border were stamped, as was the Joy. A tiny jewel was placed in the center of the snowflake.

2010 Christmas card. The reindeer, snowflake border and greeting were all stamped. And a bit of red glitter was placed on Rudolph's red nose.

My apologies if this post now has you now thinking about Christmas. In August!

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

On Saturday, we attended the wedding of my little cousin, Joylani. I still remember the day my Aunt Gail brought her home from the hospital. I was in love the first time I laid eyes on her. I used to spend summers at my aunt's and would often babysit Joylani. We'd play dress up, bake cookies, build forts. I can't believe my little cousin grew up when I wasn't looking! But I am so proud of the beautiful woman she has become.

Here is the card I made for her wedding. It has sort of become my "go to" design for weddings. It's simple, elegant and quick to make. The roses are made with an embossing folder from Stampin Up!

And here's just a few photos from the wedding...

Husband and Wife!

Two of my favorite aunts. My Aunt Gail (mother of the bride) and Aunt Debbie.

Grandpa Richard and Grandma Joy said a blessing before the dinner. Grandpa Richard married Jim and I 15 years ago.

Today my husband and I are making our annual trip to the Sonoma County Fair. It's where we had our first date 18 years ago. I have already decided on what I am going to eat. A CORN DOG! And maybe an ice cream cone :) Afterwards we plan to catch a movie. I want to see the new Steve Carrell movie - Crazy, Stupid, Love. And then Saturday my little cousin is getting married. And Sunday I plan to stay home and do nothing, except maybe nap!

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

I've been collecting, or rather "pinning", ideas from all over the internet for the nursery. My Aunt and Uncle are staying with us at the end of August, and will be the last guests to stay in the guest bedroom before we transform it into the nursery.

Wanna hear something funny, I have had people ask me with a serious face if I was going to turn my craft room into the nursery. Ummm, hello! Do I look crazy??? No way Jose am I loosing my craft room. Sorry future guests!

Anyways, as my belly continues to grow (I'm just over 4 1/2 months now) I am itching to get started on the nursery. Here are just a few ideas I'm considering....

I am about 99.99% sure I am making these hoops and either hanging them above the dresser or the baby's crib. I also like this wall color, it's similar to the color I used in my laundry room. Right now the guest bedroom is a soft, pretty blue.

{ About Me }

Ever since I was a little girl, I've always been creating something. Be it a mess, or something beautiful. Nothing makes me happier than a new project or a bucket of paint. I crave inspiration wherever I go and I hope with this blog to be able to spread a little inspiration and cheer.